The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-09-28
STUDYING GERMAN.
HOW MARK TWAIN USED TO TAKE
SIX LESSONS A WEEK.


A Harrassing and Infuriating Study-A
PerpIexed Old Professor and an Erratic
Pupil-Distressing observation-disclosures
Suspicion Among Friends.
Perhaps you remember the article on ''The
Awful German Language" which IS inserted
near the end of "The Tramp Abroad The
article is said by those who thoroughly under
stand the science Of that irregular, intricate
and strangely conducted language, TO be
powerful criticism upon it, and one showing
an unusual knO 1edge and understanding Of
the pecuharities Of the language which Mark
Twain justly pronounces a "harrassing and
infuriating study" It IS so well done, displays
such an insight into the complexities Of mean
ing and construction that the young man
says 1t Ii a mystery to those who know Of the
authors methods of acquiring the tongue,
making them wonder where and how he ever
learned 50 much When Mark Twain, IN con-
temptation Of a visit abroad, decided TO learn
German, be sent for the professor, a man
well known and respected in Hartford, a
patient though opinioDated old gentleman,
cramEned 70 his very hair with science and
grammar. During the preliminary arrange
ments be asked Mr.. Clemens how many les
SONS week be would take Il think / will
but you cannot take six, +" said the professor.
at will be impossible for you 70 study 50
much each day Three would be quite
enough But Mr.. Clemens assured him be
could take six and assurin1iy said Now, you
come every day, professor, and I Will take
care Of the rest. We shall get along all
right"
The professor went, armed with granmars, +
lexicons and commentaries, and seated in the F
library ron iv1ff-
teaching. Mark Twain listened patiently for
q while and then said: Eyes, l know That
is all very interesting, but I want TO know
how to say How do you do Good morn
ing and such things. Tell me how you say
the names Of the desk ana table and chairs,
you know. Let US talk about the things in
the room There is time enough for gram
mar, is there not, later, after I can talk!" IL
was before the days OF the Natural Method"
and the good old teacher stared with aston
ishment. He said such digressions would
never do, and pinned his pupil down 20 the
text with most creditable perseverance.
DISTRESSING DIVERSIONS.
At every lesson there was ingenious, and
to the conscientious professor most distressing
diversions, and the lessons were none too
regular, though Mark Twain insisted that
the professor should come every day. When
there was no lesson, began to be fire.
quently the case, he managed to get a great
deal Of information and entertainment out OF
the conversation of the professor, and in turn
so interested and amused he old gentleman
that after few futile attempts 20 stick to
the grammar he gave it up and shook his
sides In hearty enjoyment OF the drolleries Of
his unmanageable scholar
One day, when the weather was fine. Mark
Twain endured a short quarter Of an hour in
the library, and then throwing his books
aside said: Come professor, it is too pleasant
TO stay IN the house, let's go out into the
garden" With his conscience troubling him.
but unable 70 resist "a chat in the sunshine
and his pupils happiest mood, he followed 10
a seat in an arbor among the roses which
bloomed on every side. Lets have cigar"
said the host; and when the smoke curled
away over their heads Mr. Clemens said
There! This is something likei This is my
way OF studying German. Now we VIII talk
about the flowers How do YOU call these
roses, that vine, this treegD
Mr. Clemens insisted upon having for six
lessons n week, but to those who know of his
sr1atSc and at times original manner of study.
{ seemed impossible that be could learn any
ming OF the language he desired to acquire.
w hen, however, his subsequent 1uencv in
conversation and his insight into the written
anguage appeared, there was a shrewd sus-
olcton among the friends of the old professor
hat he procured another, one more pliabIs
md ready TO conform TO his ideas and adding
hereto, when, no one can imagine, a study of
he dry details Of the language, is now able to
lScuSs 1t in a manner possible to few
So much for the story as il is
old IN society circles here. 1t is certainly
Recommendations Thayer McCray in {
springfield Homestead :